Winner announced in Shelburne’s Deck the Doors contest

Written By PAULA BROWN

LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER

The results are in, and Julian Samuels has become the winner of the Town of Shelburne's Deck the Doors contest. 

Samuels, co-owner of local event planning business Paradise Hills Banquet Services, placed first in the contest after receiving more than 800 community votes. As the winner of the community contest she was award a $100 gift certificate for the African Caribbean Grocery Stores on Monday (Dec. 14), which was presented to her by Mayor Wade Mills and Deputy Mayor Steve Anderson. 

“Thank you for coming out to support my local business Paradise Hills Banquet Services, it takes a lot to win but I came out victorious,” said Samuels. “I am so grateful.” 

The Deck the Doors contest was launched by the Town of Shelburne on Nov. 25 as a way to bring cheer to the community over the holiday season, and closed submission on Dec. 10. The winner was selected by community vote and a panel of judges. 

“We decided to go with the door concept in order to make the contest inclusive to those who might not be able to decorate a whole house,” said Mills. 

The Deck the Doors contest had a total of 11 submissions from participants this year. 

Decorating her door with garland, ornaments, and her own hand made wreaths, Samuels said she chose to take part in the event as a way to showcase her business. 

“I like when people are excited, I love to decorate and to put a smile on people's faces, so for me to do something like make a beautiful wreath, it's to make somebody happy,” said Samuels when explaining the inspiration behind her decorations. “That's my main focus, that's my passion.”

With the conclusion of the festive contest, Mayor Mills said he hopes everyone enjoyed participating and viewing all the different doors decorated by homeowners.

 “I hope everyone had a chance to appreciate some of the hard work that went into these decorations and hopefully it lifts everybody's spirits just a little bit,” he told the Citizen.